Salazar has run the Interior Department throughout President Barack Obama’s first term. Before joining the Cabinet, he served as a senator from Colorado. Salazar began his tenure with a pledge to help reduce America’s dependence on foreign oil. He told his confirmation hearing he would seek to expand renewable energy on public lands and promote the “wise use” of traditional energy sources.

He is the latest Cabinet secretary to leave the administration as Obama heads into his second term. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, Pentagon chief Leon Panetta, Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner and Labor Secretary Hilda Solis are also leaving.

The administration official spoke on the condition of anonymity because the announcement of Salazar’s departure has not been made.